The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has launched the State’s first region-specific deer control plan to reduce the environmental impacts of feral deer.
Releasing its Peri-urban Deer Control Plan 2021-26, DELWP said wild deer caused a wide range of environmental, economic and social impacts.
“The most significant impacts identified in the peri-urban area are the values of biodiversity, water quality, public safety, agricultural assets and Aboriginal cultural heritage,” DELWP said.
“Modelling indicates that if we do not act, deer will spread across Victoria,” it said.
“We are already seeing evidence of this in the peri-urban plan area.”
DELWP said the Plan would help partnership group members and the community develop local approaches to deer control.
Welcoming the Plan, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio said it set out a long-term coordinated approach to controlling feral deer numbers in the outskirts of eastern and northern Melbourne.
Ms D’Ambrosio said wild deer also posed a risk to public safety, “causing a rising number of traffic accidents”.
“The Plan sets out a long-term, coordinated approach to reduce the threat feral deer pose to the environment, farming, public safety and Aboriginal cultural heritage,” she said.
“High priority waterways, national parks and reserves will be targeted for deer control within Manningham, Knox, Cardinia, Whittlesea, Nillumbik and Yarra Ranges Council areas.”
She said the Plan was developed in collaboration with Traditional Owners, land managers, Local Governments and conservation, as well as hunting and community group representatives.
DELWP’s 52-page Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
